Technology has upped the ante in training for frontline officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service
For the past couple of years, NAPS officers have used a virtual reality system to supplement their annual scenario-based training.
“Every year officers have to get recertified in training regarding abuse of force, weapon manipulation, things like that,” explains Alex Giardino, a constable in the in-service training unit.
New recruits and veteran officers use the training modules and can experience realistic scenarios using hand controllers that replicate the handguns, rifles, and tasers officers use in the field.
Giardino added that this kind of training is especially helpful for new recruits who’ve never been exposed to weapons before they go to Ontario Police College or the firing range.
There are also live-action training modules filmed with real people, and the officer said many scenarios are available, including use-of-force scenarios and responding to people in crisis or mental health incidents.
Mason Morisseau is a recruitment constable for the police service.
“I feel like it’s a lot more immersive. We get a lot more use out of our training, and I feel like it’s more educational for our officers, so it’s definitely great.”
“Before we were doing like just hands-on scenarios, and now with VR they (officers) get a lot more immersive, a lot more in-depth, so it’s definitely a lot better now that we have VR.” he added.
Officers participating in this block training exercise agreed that the simulation weapons used for training were very similar in weight and functionality to the weapons officers carry on shift.
The VR software equipment comes from Axon, a U.S. company that specializes in virtual reality training for police, law enforcement, the military, and other public safety & security agencies, according to its website.
